This lecture provides a theory- and practice-based understanding of how today's information technologies enable new digital business models and disrupt existing markets.

Objective

A. After the lecture, the student is able to evaluate digital business models from different angels, including theory-based views:

- Definition and classification of business models - Digital business model patterns- Theoretical frameworks that explain why and how digital business models function- Impact of digital business model patterns on P&L and balance sheet

Students know how to measure & evaluate investments into the digital space as

- a decision maker in an established company (should I invest in project A or B?)- an entrepreneur (should I pursue this venture?)- an investor (should I invest in start-up xy?)

B. The student knows different tools to design digital business model patterns.

Content

Uber, Airbnb, Nest and Jawbone - A wide range of innovative companies exist, which successfully implemented ICT enabled business models and continue to grow at a rapid pace. Examples, illustrating how digitalization, including the "Internet of Things" currently fosters business model innovation across various industries. This course is designed to help students to understand and critically assess such newly immerging (digital) business models.

For the lecture students will get access to one of the leading online teaching platforms (called edX) also offered by other top universities (incl. MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, etc.). Using the edX platform, will allow students to collaborate in online discussions, solve online exercises and present a short educational video as part of a group project.